[Zeke]

Credit hopping is OK and recognized by the FICO folks. They know you are shopping for a car when they see multiple checks from one particular type of business, i.e., car dealerships. Don't go out and price financing on furniture and a spa on the same day you are buying a car!

You can get the "invoice" price from many services, namely Consumers Report or Edmunds. There are others. You can buy from the Internet sales person or you can find the fleet manager. I usually go for the fleet person and get right down to business. If you don't, they will lose interest in you and your deal.

I bet kaisen can fill in the rest.